Priming device for internal-combustion engines.



F. H. ROYCE AND E. W. HIVES. PRIMING DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I8, I91].

Patented Dec. 23, 1919.

JIZ

ENITED STATES PATENT QEETQE,

FREDERICK HENRY ROYCE AND ERNEST WALTER HIVES, OF DERBY, ENGLAND, ASSIGNORS T0 ROLLS-ROYCE LIMITED, OF DERBY, ENGLAND.

PRIMING DEVICE FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

reac es.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FREDERICK HENRY Boron, a subject of the King of England, residing at Derby, in England, and ERNEST WVALTER Hivns, a subject of the King of supplying air under pressure to it, so that the liquid fuel will be ejected from the aforesaidchamber into the induction pipe in the form of a spray.

' According to the present invention, the priming device is constructed as a separate or self-contained unit of apparatus to be connected up to the engine, such unit including a fuel-supply tank which is distinct from the float-tank and to which the supplemental chamber is connected, the latter preferably having the form of a U-shaped pipe or passage. This chamber or passage s connected with the induction pipe of the engine and, also, with the air-supply means forthe purpose above stated, the system of pipes employed being equipped with valves for controlling the connection of the said chamber with the various pipes. The invention, therefore, comprehends, and has for its object, the provision of the improved features just enumerated, as well as others hereinafter specified, considered both structurally.

and from the standpoint of relative arrangement. p 7

The invention is applicable, though not exclusively, to structures where the air sup ply is required for other purposes than the operation of the priming device, and where more than one engine is installed; and in carrying out the invention the supply tank feeds, through a one way valve, the supplemental chamber, the latter being connected by a pipe with the induction pipe or pipes of theengine or engines and directly connected to the air pressure pump (which may Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 18, 1917. Serial No. 175,340.

also be used to pump air into the general supply tank where a pressure feed is used, or for other purposes). In the pipe connecting the supplemental chamber to the induction pipe, a valve is introduced whereby said chamber can be comiected with the induction pipe of the engine or of any one of the engines, where more than one engine is installed; and (when the air pump is used to put pressure in the general fuel supply tank or for any other purpose) in the pipe connecting the supplemental chamber with the air pump there is also introduced a valve whereby the pump can be connected with the supplemental chamber or with any other tank, pipe or vessel. The valves are of the kind operated by rotating a central shaft or spindle with therein.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is an elevation of the improved priming device with parts in section.

Figs. 2 and 3 are sections on an enlarged scale through the orts of the two valves the spindles of which are integral.

a designates the liquid fuel reservoir provided with a cover a having formed integrally therewith a projection m to which cover the air-pump b is detachably connected by means of the nut If. The air pump valve 6 (which may be of any desired constructionand is shown at the base of the pump) is connected to the pressurepipe 0.

In the base of thereservoir a is fitted a non-return valve a which permits of the liquid in said reservoir passing into the sup plemental chamber shown in the form of a U shaped tube cl until such liquid assumes the level of the liquid in the reservoir. The non-return valve (1 may be of any desired construction and is shown as a ball-valve. The distributing valves 6 and 7 (which may be mounted in any suitable manner) are carried by the projection a of the cover (1 The shaft or spindle e of the valve 6 is formed with a passage-way e partly axial and partly radial so that on rotation of the valve the pipe 0 can be placed into connec tion with any of the ports h, k or k in the valve casing which also contains a bypass h The shaft or spindle of the valve 7 (which is a continuation of or otherwise combined with the shaft or spindle e of the valve 6) is formed with a partly circuma do the air-pump would be in cominuni tterential passage 7 by means of which connection can be made between ports and j or 7' and 7' in the valve casing.

The operation, briefly described, as ii0llows: The priming fuel contained within the tank (4 passes through the non-return valve a into the il-shaped pipe a and, on manipulation oi the valves 0 in one way, communication is established through pipe 0 with the air pump, so that air under pressure can pass through pipe in and carry the priming fluid ii'roi'n the ll-shaped pipe (Z through pipe uto the priming pipes o and p. By a diilerent manipulation of the valves, the air pump can be placed in communication with either of the pipes Z or 71: for producing pressure in the main :tuel tank when a pressure feed is used, or either or both oi? theseipipes may be used to'convey he air to some other device in which it is desired to produce pressure.

With the spindles in the positions shown in tl e drawings the air-pump 7) is i cone munication via port with the inpe Z, and

by rotating the spindles clockwise through an angle of said air pump can be placed in connection via port ii with the pipe A and further y rotating the spindles through a further angle oi 90, the pump would be placed in connection via port 71 with the pipe m and hence with the SL1Pf )llilG11titl chamber 42 and the pipe n. Thus the supplemental chamber or tube (Z would be in co.;umunication via ports 7' and j with the priming pipe 0, and by further rotation 0t 9t ition via by-pass la and port 71 with the pipe m and hence with the supplemental chamber d, the pipe at and hence the supp-leerental chamber being; also in connection with the priming pipe 2 via the ports j and j It will be observed, when the air-pinup is in communication with either oi? the pipes Z or is, that the priming pipes o and p are cut out. Pipes Z and ic nay be connected up to the main liquid ti, 1 tank or tanks (not shown) or used for any other suitable purpose where air pressure is required.

Liquid fuel may be introduced into the supply tank a by removing the plug a ii the cover a It is possible to arrange this mechanism without a non-return valve in the base of the reservoir but the same would not work so efficiently when priming owing to the escape 9f pressure through the liquid in reservoir a. 7

What we claim as our invention and de sire to secure by Letters Fatent oi? the United Stat-es is 1. A priming device for internal combustion engines, constructed as a sell contained unit and comprising, in combination, a liquid fuel supply vessel, other than the float tank of the carbureter oi the engine; a U- scenes shaped conduit in communication with said vessel, whereby fuel will flow by gravity t said conduit; a cover for said vessel; an airpump mounted on said cover; valve casings carried by said cover; valves within said casings having spindles adapted to move in unison; and pipe connections controlled by said valves for effecting communication between the air-pump and said iJ-shaped conduit and between the latter and the induction pipe of the engine. i

2. A priming device for internal combustion engines comerising a liquid fuel supply vessel, a ll-shaped conduit in communication therewith whereby fluid will flow by gravity to said conduit, a non-return valve between the vessel and conduit, cover for said vessel, an air puinp attached to said cover, a projecting member on the latter, means carried by said member for effecting communication between the air-punip and the said conduit, pipe connections between the said conduit and the induction pipe of the engine and means for cutting oil or con necting the conduit with tie induction pipe r of any one or a plurality of engines substantially as described.

A priming device for internal combustion engines comprising a liquid fuel supply vessel, a supplementary chamber connected therewith, means for supplying air under pressure to the said supplementary chamber, connections between the said chain her and theair pressure supply means, connections between the said chamber and the induction pipes of a plurality of engines and means for cutting out or connecting the chamber with the induction pipe of any one of said plurality oi engines.

A priming device for internal combustion engines, constructed as a self-contained unit and comprising, in combination, an air pump; a ti-shaped conduit in connnunication at one side with said pump and at the other side with the induction pipe of the engine; a liquid l'uel supply vessel other than the carburetor of the engine in communication with said conduit between said pump and said induction pipe to feed fuel to the conduit by gravity; and means for con trolling the connnunication between said conduit and said induction pipe.

in witness whereof we have si net this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

FBEDlJRlCli. l-ll lllldY EQ YCE. ERNEST lVAL lEll HIVES. 

